Page 50 of Don’t Fall for your Best Friend's Brother

“I can’t believe it’s nearly their wedding day,” Mom says. “The time has passed by so quickly.”

“That’s just old age, dear,” Dad says.

We all laugh.

* * *

I wake up this morning after a great night’s sleep. A night where I dreamt of Emma and me together, living a happy and fulfilled life. It puts a spring in my step, and when I arrive in the kitchen, I’m already smiling. Emma is sitting at the breakfast bar, drinking that stuff she calls tea.

“Good morning,” I say cheerily.

“Morning,” she says, throwing me a soft smile over her shoulder.

Coming to stand behind her, I take hold of her shoulders and kiss her gently on the top of the head before I begin to make my coffee. After pouring the coffee, I settle down beside her. While she’s smiling, she also has a dubious expression dancing at the corners of her eyes.

“What is it?” I ask.

At first, Emma seems to struggle to find the right words. After a moment of contemplation, she says, “I just want to be sure what this is.”

I know what she means, and I don’t want to play with her, so I ask her a question of my own. “What do you want it to be?”

“I really do like you, Finn,” she says.

“I know. You even told me I was beautiful.” I grin.

She blushes and laughs. “Finn,” she says, trying to sound serious.

“Sorry,” I say, not really feeling sorry at all. I love hearing her laugh. I also love those adorable dimples when she does so.

“I’m not like you. I haven’t been in a serious relationship before. I don’t really know how these things are supposed to go.”

“Then, how about we just take things slowly?” I suggest. “There’s no great need for commitment right now, Emma.” Even as I say those words, I know I don’t mean them. I want us to commit to each other. I can easily see myself spending all the time in the world getting to know this woman. “I really like spending my time with you, and if you want to, I’d like to see where this thing goes.”

She listens intently to my words, then nods. “Yes. I’d like that too.”

I smile. “All right, then.”

When I finish my coffee, I rinse my cup before turning to her. “I have to do some work on Ben’s website today. Why don’t you take a break from the garden and just relax?”

“Actually, I have to start looking for a place to stay,” she says. “I probably should have done it already, but now that I know that my job will be starting soon, I need to be closer to the city. I can’t commute from here every day. Besides, I think I’ve imposed on your mum and dad enough.”

I snort and shake my head. “Are you kidding? My mom wants to adopt you.”

Emma laughs again, and I move back to the breakfast bar. Bending down, I drop a kiss on her cheek, and then I reluctantly leave the kitchen and head to the study.

* * *

Bree and Jackson arrive in the evening. Sylvie has gone all out, and I swear she thought there were fifty people coming to the house. There are cheese boards and grapes. There are sandwiches and cake. There’s a huge variety of nuts in little bowls all around the house and garden. It’s nearly enough to feed the entire town.

The women are in the house, no doubt talking about the wedding. Dad’s messing around in the garage, trying to get the grill started. Jackson and I are alone in the garden.

“How is she?” Jackson asks.

I know he’s referring to Emma. The last time they were here, Emma was a different person. She was quiet and subdued, and she had turned in on herself.

“Better. Much better, in fact,” I reply, taking a sip of my beer.

Jackson gives me a knowing look and raises his eyebrows inquiringly.

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